Jim Bevins, on behalf of FM Global in Georgia, receives a Navy Employer Support Certificate of Appreciation from Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin Braun during a ceremony, June 20. The certificate is presented by the Chief of Navy Reserve annually to

recognize selected civilian employers of Navy Reserve Sailors, as nominated by their own citizen-Sailor employees. Selected employers were nominated by their Navy Reserve Sailor employees and invited to attend the one day event that included tours of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), a static display of aircraft and a demonstration by SEAL Team 18.

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A recent Banneker High School graduate and College Park, Ga., native is serving aboard USS Nitze (DDG 94), one of the world’s most versatile multi-mission combat ships.

Seaman Recruit Waltavion Ashford is a yeoman aboard the Norfolk-based ship, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that is longer than 1.5 football fields long at nearly 510 feet long. The ship is 66 feet wide and weighs more than 9,200 tons. Twin gas turbine engines can push the ship through the water at more than 30 mph…

As a junior Sailor with less than a year of naval service, Ashford was inspired by family members to join the Navy. During Ashford’s naval career, he plans to achieve the rank of master chief, the highest enlisted rank in the Navy.

He also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the Nitze’s 315-member crew, protecting America on the world’s oceans. “Even though I’ve been in the Navy for a short time, this experience has been pretty positive so far,” said Ashford. As one of the ship’s yeoman, he composes administrative naval instructions, commissioned officer fitness reports and enlisted evaluation reports for all Sailors aboard the ship…

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile combat ships, Ashford and other USS Nitze Sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.
“The Navy has been very rewarding to me thus far,” said Ashford. “We are treated in a positive manner and I like the amount of respect we are given from other people.”

Airman Ramiro Alvarez, an aviation boatswain’s mate from Lawrenceville, Ga. and 2009 graduate of Phoenix High School, is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Somerset (LPD 25), one of the world’s most modern, networked, survivable, and transformational warships.

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Damage Controlman Fireman Alfred Sun, from Tucker, Ga., is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s most versatile multi-mission combat ships, the Norfolk-based destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94).